POULTRY FEEDS AND FEEDING 



reproductive parts of the plants and very little of this 

 material is contained in the plant fiber. All changes in 

 the plant depend primarily upon their nitrogenous or 

 protein compounds. Mineral matter or ash is also neces- 

 sary in this changing of food materials and in the growth 

 of young plants. It is found especially in the leaves and 

 fibrous parts of the plants. Thus plants which furnish 

 the feed for animals, form these compounds from the 

 earth and air through the energy of the sun, and supply 

 animals with the sun's heat and energy through plant 

 life. 



FACTORS INFLUENCING THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF FEEDS 



The value of feeds is somewhat affected by the climatic 

 and soil conditions and also by the preparation of the feed. 

 Feeds produced in different sections of this country show 

 somewhat different analyses while the value of roughages 

 and green crops are especially influenced by their stage 

 of maturity. The crude protein content of cereals is quite 

 variable in different sections as is also the fat and fiber 

 content while the nitrogen free extract is less variable 

 than these other constituents. Because of this variation 

 it is advisable whenever possible to know the analysis of 

 grains and feeds as it effects their feeding and purchase 

 value. 



In general, grinding, cracking and rolling of grains 

 does not increase their digestibility except in the case of 

 very hard feeds which would otherwise pass through the 

 body in a whole form. Fowls are provided with a very 



20 



